As the minutes flew by, the carriage the three rode slowly arrived at Tera, where multiple armed personnel were inspecting dozens of carriages.

"Are they all here for the Serenity Ball?" Samael asked.

"Yes. Some of them might be merchants who are trying their luck with the nobles; some may just be lower-ranking aristocrats hoping to get an invitation for the event itself," Icarius said.

"With this line, it'll take us forever to even enter," Samael said.

"Oh, don't worry about that; our carriage holds the symbol of the guild, so we'll get a priority pass," Icarius said with a smug smile.

"I didn't know you liked using your authority for something so petty," Samael berated.

"What's the use of having authority if I can't even use it as I please?" Icarius asked as he chuckled.

"Don't you know that with great power comes great responsibility?" Samael asked.

"Oh bah! Enough of that nonsense, and let's get into business," Icarius dismissed as he dove down and took out two cases.

"Since we're technically of high stature, we should look presentable in the least," he said as he opened the cases, revealing a set of clothes and other trinkets.

"You want us to change?" Samael asked, reluctance present in his pupils.

"Of course! You guys will be the ones to protect this place, so you should look good, right?" Icarius asked.

"That doesn't even make sense—" Ajax's words were cut short as Icarius shoved the clothes towards the two.

"You should hurry and wear those before we get inspected," Icarius said.

Samael and Ajax could only sigh as they swiftly changed clothes. This opportunity prompted Samael to take a few sneak peeks, but Ajax was cautious as he deployed a veil of shadow between them.

Once they were done changing, Samael was now wearing a white silk tunic with his upper chest exposed, coupled with a jet black pair of pants and black shiny boots embroidered with jewelry.

"This... is uncomfortable," Samael said as he shifted his gaze at his mentor.

Ajax was now wearing a black suit with a red tie and a white porcelain mask over his face.

Why does it feel like I expected that? Samael asked himself.

"Why do you protect your face so much? Are you ugly?" Samael asked, but the man simply ignored him.

Inspecting Samael and Ajax, Icarius whistled. "I knew you two had some charisma, but this is taking it to another level."

"Quit it," Ajax said, shutting down the man fast.

As the carriage rapidly approached the long line, a soldier adorned in white armor took notice of them as he raised a golden flag.

Seeing the flag, the other knights swiftly went into action as they directed the carriages to move to the side.

"Make way!" The knights roared.

Some of the people in the line did not take kindly to this, but upon seeing the emblem on the carriage, they backed off like good dogs.

As the guild's carriage came through, the knights gave their salutes as one of them came forward and knocked.

Lowering the window, Icarius came into view.

"Good day, sir knight," he greeted.

"Ah, sir Icarius! It is a pleasure to see you, but I'm afraid I must still check if you have anyone else with you," the knight hesitantly said.

"I know, I know. You're just doing your job," Icarius remarked as he leaned back, allowing the knight to see Samael nonchalantly leaning over the window and Ajax still like a statue.

"These are my companions, Ajax and Samael. I don't have to confirm anything about them now, do I?" Icarius asked.

"Of course, sir, please come through," the knight said as he backed away.

Closing the window back up, the carriage proceeded as planned.

Samael watched the streets of Tera with great curiousity. The city was indeed beautiful to boot.

The road was furnished and smooth; the houses towered and shone under the sun, while the people were lively and dressed nicely.

Dozens of stalls littered the street with beautiful oil lamps hanging on steel poles. It was like a wonderland.

Stolen story; please report.

Samael would have believed Tera was the best place compared to everyone else had he not known about its underlying poverty.

"Enjoying the view?" Icarius asked.

"You were right about its beauty," Samael said.

"You'll know best to believe everything I say is true," Icarius bragged.

As the carriage made its way throughout the town, they soon entered a street different from the rest.

This part of the sanctuary was rather quiet. But that wasn't all. The houses had their own wide green land and towering mansions.

"We're already in the aristocratic territories," Icarius mentioned.

"They sure are rich," Samael said as the carriage passed by the mansions.

"That they are," Icarius agreed.

After a few more minutes, the ride soon stopped before a large manor with a dozen maids waiting by the front yard, all quietly standing by the side to greet them. Leading them was a man wearing a black suit with gray hair and a beard.

Icarius took charge as he stepped out of the carriage to greet the man.

"Butler Sein, good to see you again," Icarius said.

"It is my honor to serve the guild master," Butler Sein said as he bowed down.

"I'm sorry about your father; I heard he died peacefully," Icarius said.

"Please do not worry about it, your excellency; he passed away with honor and dignity," Butler Sein said.

"Good to know," Icarius said.

"Please, sir, the manor has been prepared for you and your guests," Butler Sein said as multiple other men wearing the same suit approached Icarius and the carriage, working swiftly and without a single word uttered as they took the baggages.

"Just follow the guides; they'll show you the way," Icarius said as he took off with Butler Sein.

Ajax and Samael could only heed his words as they allowed the guides to take them in.

The manor was just as grand on the inside as it was on the on the outside. Its white walls were decorated with gold and other precious metals, along with relics and other ancient paintings.

The corridors were long and filled with rooms; each one had its own purpose, and this just made Samael feel even more confused.

Just how can they remember every single room?

The guide led the two to multiple other sections of the house. It gave them directions to the bathrooms, the dining room, the kitchen, and even the training room.

Eventually, their small adventure ended as they were led to their final destination, their own rooms.

Ajax was just across the hall, in front of Samael's room. To make sure they know their place, the workers put up a sign with their name on it.

Sitting down on the bed, a sigh escaped Samael's lips as he allowed himself to rest his guard a little.

It has been quite an exhausting week. One moment he was fighting rabid wolves, and now he's aiming to go to a ball with a boatload of aristocrats.

Samael doesn't even know which is harder.

Laying down, he stared at the ceiling as he thought, Who was he even supposed to protect?

***

A beautiful, mature woman slowly sat up, the frame of the bed creaking under her weight as she spared a glance forward, her crimson gaze focusing on a delicate young girl sitting before a mirror.

The girl's frame was slim but not skinny; her skin was milky white and had this subtle glow in it.

Her hair was neatly combed as it nearly reached the floor, its surface reflecting the light of the room as it nudged under her every move.

However, what separated her from the rest was the pair of black wings tucked behind her waist and the two white horns sticking out of her head.

image [https://i.ibb.co/5jJxFQq/detailed-long-elf-ear.png]

"Lilith, dear, won't you pay more attention to your beloved grandma?" Aphemis said as she hugged the young girl, pressing her cheeks against the kid.

However, Lilith simply hugged the woman back before breaking away.

"Not right now, grandmother," Lilith spoke, her melodic, soft voice echoing in the room.

Aphemis sighed as she sat beside the girl. "Why do you even have to go through all this? You don't even need such pathetic cosmetics to make yourself look pretty," she remarked.

"But don't you do this as well, grandmother?" Lilith fired back.

"You cheeky brat!" Aphemis said as she gave out an exaggerated gasp.

"I do it for myself, not for these silly human gatherings," Aphemis defended herself.

Staring at her own reflection, Lilith's ruby-red eyes narrowed as she delicately applied make-up.

"Grandmother, I thought we already discussed this," Lilith said.

"Ugh, I know, but you've been oddly keen on knowing these humans and even their culture," Aphemis said as she rested her chin over her hand.

"I know you're doing this because of that kid. I get that he did save you, but I would have done just that even without his help," Aphemis said.

Lilith halted her hands as she cast a glance at her grandmother, her eyes frowning in disapproval.

"Firstly, that kid's name is Samael. Second, he did save me regardless of his own situation. I owe him my life," Lilith said as she rose up.

"But it's been so long! Unlike us, humans have a short lifespan. Promises and such things are nothing but meager words for them! Besides, you'll outlive him eventually!" Aphemis pointed out.

"I do not care about that grandma. Samael is different. He isn't like "most" humans, as you say. You know that," Lilith replied.

Aphemis grumbled in her seat as she replied. "Ugh, fine. I admit he's different than most, but in the end, how are you even sure he'll return?"

Lilith fell silent as she grasped the necklace resting in her neck.

"I... I don't know... but I will cherish the memories I had with him," Lilith said before she dragged her grandmother up.

"Now, I have a ball to prepare for, so please, grandma, leave me for a while," Lilith said as she pushed her grandmother out of her room.

Sitting back down, Lilith spared a glance at her reflection as she took out a piece of paper and a hairpin from her storage remnant.

She delicately caressed the two objects as her eyes got lost in the torrent of memories.

The days they spent together, the fun they had, and the small adventure they went through.

Every word Lilith said was heartfelt. Samael was indeed not some ordinary human, as her mother suggests. He was different. Unique.

Demons often associate different things as something bad as it disrupts their way of life, but to Lilith, Samael was different in a better way.

He was kind. A form of kindness she never experienced once.

Even now, she can vividly remember the nights they spent talking and telling each other stories while watching the stars and the moon.

She can still hear Samael's voice and his warm touch. She can still feel his gentle and protective embrace that put her to sleep countless times.

Samael was simply different.

Lilith understood the worries of her grandmother. Demons lifespans can go as far as thousands upon hundreds of thousands of years. This is even more slowed considering the chances of them possessing an element are higher.

She understands that one day she will outlive Samael. She will see his skin wrinkle and his hair turn gray, but it does not matter to her.

To her, Samael will always have an important place in her heart.

That's something even time can never change.